BILL NUMBER: SJR 12 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 8, 2012
INTRODUCED BY Senator Rubio
AUGUST 15, 2011
Relative to fatherhood.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SJR 12, as amended, Rubio. Fatherhood.
This measure would urge the President and the Congress to pursue a
comprehensive approach to addressing issues facing boys and men
of color by promoting positive father involvement and
mentoring for children that affirms that fathers and positive
adult men male role models are a
critical parts part of the lives
of children children, and to
direct redirect the distribution of
funds and resources of the United States Department of Health and
Human Services to the State of California as part of the White House
Initiative on Fatherhood and Mentoring to assist underserved
boys and men of color throughout the state , as specified.
Fiscal committee: no.
WHEREAS, The health and well-being of California's children is
enhanced when mothers, fathers, and caregivers dedicate their time
and attention to their healthy development and growth; and
WHEREAS, California appreciates the many fathers who support all
aspects of their children's lives and demonstrate their love and
support through their actions and words; and
WHEREAS, In California, boys and men of color experience
proportionally higher rates of poverty and discrimination related
inequalities than members of other groups, including low educational
attainment, subpoverty wage employment, victimization or death from
violence, contact with the justice system and incarceration,
incidence of substance abuse, and overall poor quality of life and
health.
WHEREAS, California recognizes that at a time of reduced
resources, fathers and other positive male role models
must not be overlooked as an a valuable
asset to their children, families, and communities; and
when addressing the issues facing boys and men o
f color; and
WHEREAS, Organizations that serve the social and educational
interests of children must look to both fathers and mothers
to increase the positive influence that engaged and dedicated parents
provide for children; and boys and men of color must
understand and incorporate a culturally appropriate approach to
providing services; and
WHEREAS, Children boys of color with
present and engaged fathers are more likely to have close,
or positive male role models in their lives are more
likely to have enduring relationships than those whose
without fathers are absent,
or male role models, and these relationships contribute to
long-term happiness, well-being, and social and academic success;
and
WHEREAS, Children boys of color
living apart from their biological fathers
and positive male role models often confront obstacles that
place them at risk for increased drug and alcohol use and reduced
educational achievement; and
WHEREAS, Children with nonresident fathers are 54 percent more
likely to be poorer than their fathers; and
WHEREAS, The involvement of nonresident fathers in their children'
s schools is particularly important for children in grades 6 through
12 and reduces the likelihood that children will ever be suspended,
expelled from school, or repeat a grade; and
WHEREAS, Research documents a positive connection between the
provision of child support by fathers and the well-being of schoolage
children, particularly their cognitive development, academic
achievement, and behavior; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the President and the
Congress of the United States to pursue a comprehensive approach to
addressing issues facing boys and men of color by promoting
positive father involvement and mentoring for children that
affirms that fathers and positive adult men
male role models are a critical parts
part of the lives of children
children, and to redirect the distribution of funds and
resources by of the United States
Department of Health and Human Services to the State of California as
part of the White House Initiative on Fatherhood and Mentoring to
assist underserved children boys and
men of color throughout the state; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States,
to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority
Leader of the Senate, to each Senator and Representative from
California in the Congress of the United States, and to the author
for appropriate distribution.